Fascia and gutter systems on buildings

Abstract

Disclosed is a combination fascia and concealed gutter system comprising a plurality of similar support members arranged for securement in substantially horizontal aligned relationship on a support structure below the periphery of a roof of a building.

I claim: 
     
       1. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system comprising a plurality of similar support members arranged for securement in substantially horizontal aligned relationship on a support structure below the periphery of a roof of a building, a metal or plastics fascia member shaped and arranged for engagement with said support members when secured, and a gutter channel member into which water from the building roof can flow shaped and arranged for detachable spring fitment within the support members; each support member being shaped to engage and support inner, outer and base parts of the gutter member and being further provided with a lower outer edge portion about which an inturned and upturned lower longitudinal edge portion of the fascia member can locate, and an inset upper edge portion on which an inwardly disposed returned upper edge portion of the fascia member can bear, and the gutter member having an upper outer longitudinal edge portion shaped and arranged to contact said fascia returned upper edge portion. 
     
     
       2. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each support member, comprises an inner part arranged for securement to a support structure below the periphery of a roof of a building, a medial part shaped to receive and support the gutter channel member and an outer upwardly directed part with which the metal or plastics fascia member can be engaged for support of said fascia member, said outer part of each support member having a plurality of inwardly directed fixed projections any one of which can form an abutment for an upper longitudinal ledge or edge of the gutter member outer wall to prevent upward movement and to determine the longitudinal fall of the gutter member when engaged with a plurality of the support members mounted in horizontal aligned relationship. 
     
     
       3. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the gutter member outer wall is inturned and downturned to form the upper ledge or edge for location under and abutment with a selected projection of each support member outer part. 
     
     
       4. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 2 wherein each support member is fabricated from a single piece of sheet metal with the inner and medial parts substantially flat and in the same plane and provided with at least one horizontally disposed strengthening rib and wherein a plurality of timber engaging spikes or prongs are pressed out laterally of the inner part. 
     
     
       5. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the outer part of each support member is of upstanding channel formation and the projections are in the form of similar equally spaced lugs directed inwardly from one inwardly directed flange portion of the channel formation, any of said lugs below the upper ledge or edge of the gutter outer wall to be abutted being bendable laterally of or broken off from the flange portion. 
     
     
       6. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each support member is integrally formed with an inner part shaped and arranged for securement to a support structure and providing an abutment for the gutter member inner wall, a medial part with a variable height bearing portion for supporting the base of the gutter member, and an outer part extending upwardly beyond the medial part to provide support for a front wall of the gutter member and for the fascia member. 
     
     
       7. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the bearing portion of each support member is in the form of a bendable tab or flap extending upwardly from the medial part and being bent or bendable laterally thereof. 
     
     
       8. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the bearing portion of each support member is in the form of a tab or flap extending upwardly from the medial part and has a series of horizontal bend or severing lines disposed one above the other and at which said medial part is weakened so that the upper part of the tab or flap can be bent over laterally or severed from the remainder at any one of said lines. 
     
     
       9. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the bearing portion of each support member is formed separately from the remainder and is adjustably secured to the medial part of the support member by a fastener. 
     
     
       10. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fascia member upper longitudinal edge portion is a rolled rounded edge portion and the upper edge portion of each support member is a continuation of flat strip disposed normal to the general plane of the support member turned inwardly, downwardly and upwardly in that order to form an arcuate seat complementary to and shaped and arranged to receive the lower part of the fascia member upper rolled edge. 
     
     
       11. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gutter channel member is of substantially angular cross-section with substantially flat rear, base and front wall parts and substantially sharp corners at the junctions between such parts. 
     
     
       12. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper outer longitudinal edge portion of the gutter channel member is inclined inwardly and downwardly and then directed upwardly for its upper edge to bear in spring fit engagement against the fascia member upper longitudinal edge portion. 
     
     
       13. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 12 wherein a plurality of longitudinally spaced water overflow apertures are provided at or near the base of the upper channel formed by said downwardly inclined and upwardly directed parts of the gutter member, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced drain apertures are provided in the base of the channel formed by the inturned and upturned lower longitudinally edge portion of the fascia member. 
     
     
       14. A combination fascia and gutter system assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gutter member is of angular cross-section with a substantially flat base and an inner wall which is inclined inwardly of and upwardly from said base and then upwardly and rearwardly towards the support structure, the inner parts of the support members each having an outer edge of complementary inclination of the gutter inner lower wall part and against which said lower wall part can bear. 
     
     
       15. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fascia member has a medial wide and flat longitudinal inset formation and an upper longitudinal edge portion rolled over to locate on and in an upper arcuate inturned edge portion of each support member outer part, and a lower longitudinal inturned and upturned edge portion arranged to locate over a lower end portion of each support member outer part defining a stepped abutment. 
     
     
       16. A combination fascia and concealed gutter system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the outer part of each support member is provided with upper and lower outwardly directed projections arranged to locate on the inner face of the fascia inset formation at or near the upper and lower edges thereof to support such inset formation in slight spaced relationship from the respective support member outer part.